Shire Services Food & Related Contracts

Shropshire Council is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform a proposed consolidation of a number of standalone food and related supply contracts currently held by Shire Services, the Council's in-house catering and cleaning provider, serving approximately 140 schools and other establishments across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, North Wales and the wider West Midlands. The core scope under consideration covers: drinks and vending; kitchen disposables and light equipment; cleaning materials; grocery provisions; greengroceries; and Red Tractor assured marinated chicken. The Council is also testing market capability to deliver a certified nut-free bakery supply (biscuits and bakery products) as an optional addition to this scope, conditional on the outcome of this engagement. The Council is seeking market feedback on packaging (multi-lot framework, single prime with SME sub-let, or a two-contract split), preferred route to market, and suppliers' own supply-chain and delivery models, ahead of a planned procurement. Participation is voluntary and this notice does not commit the Council to proceeding with any procurement. Full details are set out in the accompanying Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) document, available from the contact given below.